Shabbos Innovation For Kosel Cameras

For twenty years, security cameras of the Mabat-2000 project have watched over Jews visiting the Kosel or walking through the Old City’s alleyways leading to it. Twelve years ago, a special Shabbos program was devised for the cameras in accordance with the psak of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and a mashgiach was appointed to ensure that it was activated every week, even though a number of major poskim did not consider the emendation necessary.

Recently, the police issued the mashgiach with a special card that gives him immediate access to the Mabat-2000 center with no need for prior notification to enable surprise inspections.

The mashgiach testified that there were no problems in the past, particularly as there was no reason not to conduct the Shabbos program according to its established protocol. Furthermore, a public monitoring light at the Kosel indicates when the program is operating.

The idea is that the cameras serve as a deterrent against potential terrorist attacks. The Arabs know that practically every alleyway is covered, and they are being photographed by the authorities. If anybody does anything bad, they will be apprehended. The camera system also helps police to determine at a glance, if any Arab mobs might be headed to the predominantly Jewish areas.